Rolling Sport - SASCOC

All eyes were on SASCOC in June as they announced another star-studded team to travel to the London Paralympic Games.

At 62, the team is slightly down on the 66 athletes who competed at Beijing in 2008, and only includes: athletics, cycling, equestrian, rowing, swimming,wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.

SASCOC CEO, Mr Tubby Reddy has no doubts that the team would return triumphant. Although qualifying standards are high, our Paralympians have a global reputation for excellence and I know they will once again do us proud.They've fought long and hard to get into this team and we shall see the rewards at these Paralympics.

Introducing the team, SASCOC President Mr Gideon Sam said, "When it comes to Paralympic teams our men and women have done us proud time and time again."

"At the last Paralympics in Beijing we sent a team of 66 and between them they brought back 30 medals, 21 of which were gold. This is the high standard of excellence that we have come to expect from our Paralympians."

"Sadly we don't have a huge Paralympic sporting culture in this country.But, having said that, we thankfully have, in the shape of Oscar Pistorius and Natalie du Toit, two global superstars who manage to keep the Paralympic flame burning."

Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, spoke of the underperformance of our Olympians when compared to our Paralympians saying: "You have raised our flag and our colours into higher heights."